Has 2023 Been The Best CFB Season In Recent Kentucky History?

Has 2023 Been The Best CFB Season In Recent Kentucky History?
Fact Checked by Nate Hamilton

It’s been a heck of a start to the college football season for Kentucky’s three Football Bowl Subdivision programs, with the Louisville Cardinals riding high in the top 25, and Kentucky and Western Kentucky posting solid seasons of their own. Between the Bluegrass State’s three teams, they’ve posted a .704 win percentage, going 19-8 against their collective foes with three regular season games to play. All have played a role in the success of any Kentucky sports betting participants.  

One of those contests is Nov. 25, when the Cardinals and Wildcats meet at Cardinal Stadium in the latest installment of the Governor’s Cup, which Kentucky has won four straight times (each by double digits). Ahead of that Thanksgiving weekend showdown in Louisville, BetKentucky.com broke down where the state’s three FBS programs rank in 2023, versus some other noteworthy seasons for each.  

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How 2023 Stacks Up Vs. Best Seasons In KY CFB History:

It’s worth noting we only factored in seasons where WKU played at the sport’s top level, which started in 2009, which gives us 15 seasons to choose from for our list.  Those using Kentucky betting apps will appreciate what Kentucky teams are accomplishing this season. 

Season Teams/Record Win %
2023 LOU: 8-1, UK: 6-3, WKU: 5-4 Total: 19-8 (.704)
2016 LOU: 9-4, UK: 7-6, WKU: 11-3 Total: 27-13 (.675)
2019 LOU: 8-5, UK: 8-5, WKU: 9-4 Total: 25-14 (.641)
2021 LOU: 6-7, UK: 10-3, WKU: 9-5 Total: 25-15 (.625)
2022 LOU: 8-5, UK: 7-6, WKU: 9-5 Total: 24-16 (.600)
2015 LOU: 8-5, UK: 2-10, WKU: 12-2 Total: 22-17 (.564)

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2023 Season Off to Historic Start in KY

So far, the 2023 season has seen the highest collective win percentage (.704) of any campaign since that 2009 season, knocking off 2016 (.674) as the best collective total in state history. That year, the Hilltoppers were the state’s best team by win-loss figures, going 11-3 as a member of Conference USA, while Louisville went 9-4 in the ACC and Kentucky went 8-5 against SEC competition. That was enough to post a 27-13 total, with a .675 win percentage between the three teams that call the Bluegrass State home.  

As for the rest of the 2023 season, oddsmakers at Caesars Sportsbook Kentucky give the Cardinals -1400 odds against the Virginia on Thursday, while the Wildcats have +328 odds at home against Alabama and WKU comes in at -205 against New Mexico State on Saturday. As far as conference futures are concerned, Louisville (+280) has the best odds in the state, while WKU has +500 odds on Caesars Sportsbook Kentucky to win the C-USA title this year and Kentucky is off the board.  

All three will look to continue their winning ways down the stretch, however, as Kentucky’s three FBS programs search for a record-setting season in 2023.  

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Author

Christopher Boan

Christopher Boan is a staff writer for BetKentucky.com. He has covered sports and sports betting for more than seven years and has worked for publications such as ArizonaSports.com, the Tucson Weekly and the Green Valley News.

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